Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton will join President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the White House for a Pride Month Celebration on Wednesday, it was announced by the city on Monday.
Middleton made history as the first transgender person to serve as mayor in California when she began her term in December 2021.
“I am deeply honored to be invited by President and Dr. Biden to attend this year’s Pride Month celebration,” Middleton said in a news release. “On behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Palm Springs, we thank the Biden Administration for recognizing and celebrating Pride Month and the many incredible accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ citizens.”
Her invite comes amid a nationwide effort to roll back the rights of transgender people.
President Biden is bringing back the celebration of Pride Month after the former occupant of the White House refused to proclaim June as Pride Month. But the ex-president did designate June as National Homeownership Month, Great Outdoors Month, and Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
Coincidentally, the day Middleton will be visiting the White House is also her birthday. “This is a wonderful birthday present that I will never forget,” added Middleton.
